Amusement car



R. J. -LUSSE AMUSEMENT CAR March 24,- 1931.

Filed July l5, 1926 9 Sheets-Sheet l R. J. LUSS'E AMUSEMENT GAR' March 24, 1931.

9 sheets-sheet 2 Filed July 15l 1926 R. J, LUSSE AMUSEMENT CAR March 24, 1931.

Filed July l5, 1926 9 Sheets-Sheet` 3 March 24, 1931. R, LUSSE 1,798,023

AMUSEMENT CAR Filed July l5, 1926 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 R. J. LUSSE AMUSEMENT CAR March' 24, 1931.

Filed July 15. 192e 9 sheets-Sheet 5 March 24, 1931. R, 1 LUSSE 1,798,023

lAMUSEMENT CAR Filed July l5, 1926 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 March 24, 1931. R. J, L USSE 1,798,023

AMUSEMENT CAR Filed July l5', 1926 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 www R. J. LUSSE March 24, 1931.

AMUSEMENT CAR Filed July l5 I 1926 9 SheetS-Sheet 8 l ff l) /4- w QV fjwe ry- QDMSSG R. J. LUSSE AMUSEMENT CAR March 24, 1931.

Filed July l5, 1926 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 Patented Mar. 24, 1931 rinitis PATET ortica ROBERT J. LUSSE, F PHILADELPHEA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TKO LUSSE BROS. INC.,

0F PHILADELPHA, PEWNSYZVNA,

A CORPORA'EGN OF PENNSYLVANIA AMUSEMENT CAR Application filed July l5,

My invention relates to mot-or vehicles and it has particular relation to such vehicles as are adapted for use in amusement parks.

Broadly speaking, the object ot my inven- .tion is to provide a car of the above character v*that shall be characterized by simplicity ot design, rigidity of construction and absence of undesirable operating noises.,

i A more specific object of myinvention is to provide simple and eiicient propelling mechanism as well as controlling apparatus therefonespecially designed to permit the occupant to turn the car within a minimum radius and otherwise control its operation.

Another objectvof my invention is to provide a car with power transmission mechanism between a driving motor and a traction wheel as well as control mechanism therefor, permitting' a'quiclr get-away with noiseless operation. v Y

A further obj ect of my invention is to provide a-simple and efficient form oie-connection between the sections of a steering post, wherein the problem of lubrication is .very greatly simplified.

A still further object of my invention is to supplement the swinging operation ot the steering post` with pedal mechanism, whereby the interest of the operator may be :further stimulated. y y y A still further object of my invention is to provide in the control mechanism of the car a switch for lthe main driving motor so that the latter may be energized only when the operator desires to put the car in motion, thus effecting a material saving in the power consumed.

.With these and other objects and applications in mind, my invention further consists in the details of construction and operation and vcircuit arrangement, .hereinafter described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

F 1 is a longitudinal sectional view. of a car embodying my invention; .K

Fig. 2 is an inverted plan view of the underside of the car but illustrating theposition ot the control mechanism when the steering wheel is turned with the swinging post section initsmnormal vertical position;

1.926. Serial No. 122,633.

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the eiect ot actuating the swinging post section;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the structure of Fig. 1, illustrating the pedal-control mechanism; Y

Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the structure of Fig. 1 -with a front portion of the car body broken away to illustrate further the pedal-control mechanism;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational view, partiallyl broken away, of the upper end of the trolley pole of Fig. 5 and its associated `charged ceiling;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view of the car wheel,'the driving friction wheel and its associatedactuating and control mechanismthe sectional plane being on the line 7 7 of Fig. 8; I Y

Fig. 8 is a transversesectional View taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8, but showing the position of the parts'when the frictional wheel is in engagement with vthe driving wheel and also illustratingV the spacing 41oetween the forward abutment and the operating arm caused by the swinging of the steering post;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail transverse sectional view illustrating they adjustable support for the motor base and also the constructional details of the rcontrol switch for the motor, the sectional plane being taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 11 is an enlarged detail, perspective view of the control-switchshownin Fig. 10.

In the illustrated embodiment of my invention shown in the drawing, a car body 1 comprises a platform 2, a seat 3, a supporting structure 4 for said seat, whichv extendsupwardly from an outer edge 5 of the platform 2, and a suitable 'shock-resisting bumper 6 which encircles the base .portion 7 of the structure 4 and is secured thereto. Opposite sides 8 and 9 of the platform 2 are provided with openingsv 11 and 12 through which,

vwheels 13 and lll respectively extend from a bracket member 23. The member 23 extends transversely of the car platform 2 and is secured to an underside 24 of the platform 2 by bolts 25 so as to close partially a similarly extending recess 26 in said platform 2.

As illustrated in Figs. 7, 8 and 9,' the car wheel 13 comprises a central hub' portion 27, an outer rim 28 and an int-erconnecting rib portionv 29. An outer side31 of the rim 28 Vis adapted to engage the metallic oor surface 15, while an inner side 32 is adapted to co-act with a frictional driving element 33. The opposite car wheel 14 is similar to the car wheel 13 just described and vit Vis also actuated by a driving friction element 34.

The frictional element 33 may be actuated relative tothe car wheel 13 to vary the driving effect of the formerby'mounting the same on a shaft 35 which is rotatably mounted in a bearing 36 positioned in a recess 37 of a rotary member 38, thev recess 37 being positioned eccentrically of the laxis of the member 38. The member 38 is journalled ina bearing 39 formed on an upper end 41 of a standard 42 extending from the bracket v23jabove thecar platform 2. The member 38 is eX- 'tended at one endl beyond the bearing 39 yto provide a projecting shoulder 43 to'which may be removably secured one end 44 of an actuating 'lever 45., Thus, by reason of the eccentric position of the driving element 33 with respect tol thecentral axis of the member 38, when the latter isl actuated by the arm '45,` the' frictional'driving element'33' is actuated into or out of" engagement with the adjacent side 32 of: thewheel 13, depending upon the direction of movement of theactuating' arm 45. The'dr'iving element34 on the opposite side'of the car is similarly mounted, whereby the'movement of an operating lever 46 may `cause the engagement or disengagement of the driving element 34 with respect `to the car wheelY 14.

My invention contemplates means whereby the shaft section'35 may be positively actuated by a driving motor 47 for all positions of the frictional driving element'33. i To this end,-Iprovide a driving shaft 48 of the motor 47 with a pinion 49, the latter being mounted in alignment with the central aXis of the rotary member-38. An adjacent end 51 of the shaft 35 `carries a two-part casing 52, an inner side of 'which is provided with gear teeth constituting an internal gear-wheel 53 ladapted to mesh with the driving pinion 49.

Inasmuch as the member 38 carrying thegear wheel 53 is in alignment with the axis of the -driving pinion`49,:a proper' working relation obtains between the two gear elements :49and 53v for all positions of thefrictional driving element 33 relative to the car wheel 13. rEhe-'driving element 34 is similarly connected to a shaft 62 of the motor 47, whereby an operative connection may be maintained therebetween for all positions of said fricional driving element 34. I

Under conditions of practical manufacture, it may be difficult to obtain a motor wherein the driving shaft 48 is exactly the 7n desired distanceffrom VaA supportingl base 54 thereof. Accordingly, I provide an adjust-v able mounting 55 for the motor 47 whereby the driving shaft 48 may be easily and-,quickly-brought into alignment -withfthe rotary 75, member 38. The adjustable means'55 comprises a plurality of tubular bushings 56, threaded outer sides 57 of which engage a complementary threaded aperture 58 in the supporting bracket member 23, as illustrated 80 in 'F g."10. The-motor47 may 'be-securely positioned on upper ends 59 ofthe bushings 56 'by bolts 61. j

In accordance with myinvention, a rot-ary steering post- 63 is mounted-at thefforwardtsn end y64 of the carandassociatd by'mecha- Ynism 65 with the lever arms45 andi-46, iwhereby the frictional driving `elements33"'a1id 34 lmay be rendered effectiveV and ineffective, depend/ing'upon the position of the 'steering to means 63,V as will; appear more'fully/'hereinafter. This steering means comprises a Apost 66, a base`section67 of 'whichis' mounted yin "of a universal'joint"74,'another element 75 of which Ais mounted on the-upper end of the post base section-67. The element is lshown as' an upwardly extending cup-ishap'edmember embracing the element 73 and Iit may rclO 'tain aA desired'quantity"oflubricant (not shown).

The universal'rjoint' 74 may be enclosed -in al housing 76 extending upwardly: from the platform 2 and provided with an opening 77 E WJ through' which' the swinging post section .72

tmay extend. y'The' outlet-fis elongated 'suffi- Vcientlyto permit the desired 'swinging moverm'ent'of the 'post section" 72andit Vis of such vtransverse dimensions as to serveasa guide H5 for the same'during-such-movement- The guiding action may be increased by providing the post section 72'with a sleeve77 8 `having opposing flat-sidesl79for co-oper'ating with vthe spaced sides of the outlet 77. The im upperend of the Apost section 72 may termi- 'natein a handle 81.

My invention furthercontemplates means vwherebythe swinging movement of the post section 72 may be supplemented 'bymea'ns of mi pedal mechanism 82,' as illustrated in Figs. 1,

"4` and 5, Vwherein a1 lpair of pedals 83 :and 84 are pivotally v'mounted Aon brackets 85 "secured to the 'underside 24 -ofthe, platform 2. l The brackets A85may constitute -integral'exm Cil mounted on an upper side 102 of tensions of the bearing casting 68. The pedals -83 and 84 vmay be connected by arcuate members 86 and 87 t-o a lever 88 pivotally mounted at 89 on rearwardly spaced projec'tions 91 of the universal housing 76. r1`hus,

a forward movement of the pedals 83 and 84' causes a tilting of the lever 88 and consequently a rearward movement of the swinging post section 72. An upper end of the lever 88 is pivotally mounted on a sleeve 92 secured to the swinging post section 7 2. The pedals 83 and 84 may be further` guided and the tendency for a transverse movement minimized by means of a yoke 93,'opposite sides 94 and 95 of which slidably engage the housing 76 and are respectively riveted or otherwise secured to the arcuate members 86 and 87.

The mechanism 65, which connects the rotary swinging steering post 66 and the operating levers 45 and 46 for the frictional `driving elements 33 and 34, comprises a strap member 96'centrally mounted on the underside 24 of the platform 2 and provided at one end with a recess 97 adapted to receive one end 98 of the pivoted lever 88, whereby said strap member 96 may be actuated longitudinally of the car upon a swinging movement of thel post section 72. The Astrap member 96 is guided during such movement by means of a plate 99 which also serves to hold the strap 96 in position relative'to the platform 2. An opposite end 101 of the strap 96 is slidably the bracket member 23, as shown in Fig. 1.` v

A second strap member 103v is pivotally mounted to the strap member 96 at 104 which is intermediate the ends ofthe member 76,

and it is provided with oppositely extending arms 105 and 106 respectively providing lpivotal supports 107 and 108 .for corresponding'ends of rods 109 and 111. Opposite ends of these rods are connected through resilient 'devices 112 and 113 to the operating levers 45 and 46, respectively.v

The resilient device 112, which is illus- Vtrated in Figs. 7 8 and 9, comprises front and rear adjustable abutments 114-and 115 placed on opposite sides of the arm 45 and a spring 116., The opposite ends of the spring 116 normally engage the abutment 115 and lever 45, causing the latter to engage the front abutment- 114 as' shown in Fig. 8. The parts are so arranged that when the-steering wheel 7 is in the mid position illustrated in dot-and-dash lines in Fig. 2 and the swinging post section is in its normal inefective vertical position, the frictional driving wheel 33 is 'disengaged from the car wheel 13, as shown in Fig. 7 and the arm 45 is in engagement with the abutment 114 under the force `of the spring 116. The resilient device 113 is similar in all respects to the resilient device 112 just described..

When the post section 72 is actuated rearwardly, the strap member 96 is actuated forwardly, causing a corresponding movement springs 117 and 118, which respectively eX- tend from the arms 105 and 106 to the platform 2. The longitudinal movement of the member 103 causes a similar movement of the rods 109 and 111 and the compression of the springs in each resilient device until the force thereof is suflicient to cause a movement of they levers 45 and 46 and the consequent. engagement of the driving elements 33 and 34 with the power wheels 13 and 14, respectively. The force of each of the springs is such as to permit a predetermined movement of the frictional driving elements 33 and 34 independently of theactuating rods 109 and 111, so that during the operation just described, a space is formed between each of the front abutments 114 and its associated lever, as shown in Fig. '9. The force of the spring is also adjusted so that when the swinging post section 72 is in its rearward operating position, slippage may occur between the frictional driving elements 33 and 34 and the associated car wheels should the torque of the latter exceed a predetermined safe value.

Vrhen the swinging'post section 72 is relased from its rearward position, it immediately returns to the vertical position of Fig. 1 under the force of the springs 117 and 118, and the driving frictional elements 33 and 34 move into their ineffective positions shown in Fig. 7.

A further feature. of my invention is the provision of a switch 119, as particularly illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11, for controlling Athe operation of the main driving motor 47 in accordance with the swinging movement 'of the post section 72. The switch may comprise a supporting block 121 which is mounted on a rear side 122 of a depending flange f section 123 of the bracket member 23. The member 121 is provided with a central aperture'124 for the removable reception of a metallic plug element 125which is mounted on 1 a rear end 126 of a rod 12';7 that extends forwardly to a supporting frame 128. The frame 128 is carried by the rear end 101 of thelongitudinallymovable strap member 96. The rod 127 is provided with insulating bushings 129 which are secured in position by adjus-table abutments 131, so that the rod 127 .132"and-are` provided with complementary arcuate surfaces' 139 adapted to engage the` curved surface of the movable Ycontact mem- Feo een

fas

erating expense.

ber 125 when the latter moves from the position of Figs. 10 and 11 into the position of Fig. 3, wherein the member 125 is positioned in `theaperture 124. VEach Contact member 137is -provi'd'edwith a transversely extending 'end portion 141 `normally resiliently maintained in engagement `with an adjacent side 142 of the block 121 by m'eans'of a spring 143, opposite ends of which abut against the liange 141 and secured to the adjacent side 142.

Inoperation, when the swinging post section 72 is actuated rearwardly to cause a forward movement of the' strap memberf96 and the subsequent actuation of the frictional driving elements 33 and 34 into resilient engagement with the car wheels 13 and 14,'a

corresponding forward movement is imparted tov the'movable lcontact element 125 with result 'that the spaced contactmembers 137 are electrically vconnected together. The ineinbers 137 are `so connected to the motor 47 that the latter is now energized, so 'that the frictional elements 33 and `34 are operated to drive the car wheels 13 and 14. The arrangement of the several parts is such that the'motor circuit is'completed by the movement of the Contact element 125'prior to' the engagement ofthe frictionalelementsr 33 and 34 with cooperating car-wheels 13 and 14, respectively. Thus, the motor is Vnot required to start up under the'load of the car but is subjected to load'only after reaching its normal operating" speed.

When the swinging lpost section 72 is released, it moves 'to its original position shown in Fig. 1, causing a rearward' movement of the longitudinally extending strap member 96, and, as a result, a corresponding movement of the contact-element 125 from engagement with the spaced Contact members 137 to break the Amotor circuit. The motor is thus energized only when it is desired to have tlie'car in motion, resulting in material saving in power and consequent decrease in op- The spring 136 is compressed during a. `portion of the rearward movement of the rod 127 until the force thereof is sufficient to cause the relatively movable contact element 125 to be actuated out of the aperture 124 and from between the spaced 148 of the post base section 67. A rear end of the strap member 146 is provided withl a slot 149 for the vreception lof a shoulder-151 extending outwardly from the lbracket lmeinvber 123. The length of the slot 149 isfdeter- -mined by the desired angular movement of the steering wheel 71. Intermediate the pivotal supporting points for the lever'146, a second slot 152 is provided for the reception of a bolt 153 extending from a rear end Vportion 154 of a third arm 155 of the fulcrum member 103. The length of this slot isalso determined by the desired angular movement of the steering wheel 71.. l

In operation, -when the steering wheel 7l is in the dot-and-dash line position 'shown in Fig. 2, the swinging post section 7 2 is in the vertical position shown in Fig. 1 and the fulcrum member 103 occupies the ldot-andda'sh line position of Fig.- 2, the linlr 146 eX- tending in the longitudinal plane of the car similarly to the strap member 96. Also,`each of the operating arms 45 andf46f are positioned as shown in Figs. 7 and 8. l

When the steering wheel 71 is turned into the solid-line position of Fig.- 2, the mechanism assumes the position therein shown,

the rod 111 being actuated forwardly to compress the spring of the resilient =device 113 and the rod 109 being actuated rearwardly to cause a rearward movement'of the operating arm 45. The parts are so proportioned, however, that such movement does not cause the forwardly actuated driving element 34 to engage its car wheel 14.- However,4 when the swinging post section 72 is actuated rearwardly, the linkage 109 .and 111 are both moved forwardly, with the result thatthe friction element34, which is inl advanceof the element 33, is the only one of these two elements actuated into engagement with lits car wheel. During such movement of the lelement 34, prior to its engagement with the car wheel 14, the movable contactelement 125 is actuated into engagement with its cooperating Contact members 137 to cau-se the energiz'ation of the motorA 47. As a result, when the friction element 34 finally engages its car wheel 14, the motor is operating at normal speed. The car now traverses a circular path, turning about the car wheel- 13 as a pivot.

Should the steering wheel 71l be nowactuated into the dot-and-dash line position shown in Fig. 3 with the post section 7 2 drawnv back, the member 103 is tilted in the opposite vdirection, causing the disengagement-of the driving element 34 from the car wheel 14, and the engagement of the'driving element 33 with the car wheel 13, without affecting the movable switch element 125. The car'now moves about the wheel 14 as a pivot and traverses another circular path. Vhen the swinging post section 72 is released, iti-isl actuated by the springs 117 and 118 into its normal vertical position, causing a rearward movement of the strap member 96, so that the'movableV Contact elem-ent' 125- is actuated to deenergize the motor 127 and the driving friction element 33 is also disengaged from the car wheel 13, the parts, with the exception of the switch element 125, finally assuming a positionjust opposite to that shown inFig. 2.

The energization of the motor 47 may be brought about by a trolley pole section 156 having contact mechanism 157 for engagement with a charged ceiling 158. The pole 156 may comprise a single member having a socket 159 supportedV on a rear end of the platform 2 and correspondingly connected by a bolt 161 and wiring 162 with one of the spaced contact members 137, the other of which is connected to the motor 47. A manually operable switch 163 of the push-button type may be employedas an auxiliary control.

Under conditions of operation, it has been found that there is a tendency for the Vcar to tilt upon sudden engagement with another car. To minimize this tendency, I provide a caster 164 at a central longitudinal point on the car but adjacent to the rear end thereof. rI "he caster may comprise a bracketmember having spaced legs 165 bolted to the underside of the car and also includes an adjustable abutment 166. The latter may take the form of a curved body 167 which is vprovided with a bolt section 168 extending through a threaded base section 169 of the member 164 and further secured by means of a nut 171. Similar casters 172 may be mounted on the forward end of the car, as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

` lVhile I have shown only one form of embodiment of my invention, for the purpose of describing the-same and illustrating its principles of construction and operation, it is apparent that various changesand modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be imposed thereon as are indicated in the appended claims or as demanded by the prior art.

I claim 1. In combination, a car wheel, a driving motor having a shaft, a rotary member in axial alignment with lthe motor shaft and adapted to support a shaft eccentrically mounted with respect thereto, a driving element mounted on said eccentric shaft, a gearvWheel also mounted on said eccentric yshaft and meshing with a gear on said motor shaft, and means for actuating said rotary member to cause said driving element to engage said car Wheel.

2. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a car wheel, a driving motor having a shaft, a rotary member mounted in axial alignment with said motor shaft, a second shaft mounted eccentrically of said rotor member, a driving member mounted on said eccentric shaft adjacent and in Vco-operative relation to said car wheel, an internal gearwheel also mounted .on= said .eccentric shaft,

y and a cO-acting gear-wheel mounted on said motor shaft.

3. In combination, a car wheel, a driving motor having'a Vpinion, a movable member mounted in axial alignment with said pinion, a shaft carrying a driving'element somounted on said member that a movement thereof causes said element to engage or disengage car wheel, and a gear-wheel for said shaft positioned to mesh with said pinion.

A car body having a driving motor provided with a pinion, a member movable about an axis in alignment with said pinion, a shaft carried by said member eccentrically of said axis, a car wheel, a driving element mounted on said shaft in cti-operative relation to said car wheel, an internal gear-wheel so positioned on said shaft as to co-,operate with said pinion, and an arm extending from said member adapted toactuate the same.

5. In combination, a car wheel, a movable member having an eccentrically disposed shaft, a driving element mounted on said shaft in co-operative relation to saidv car wheel, an arm extending from saidmovable member, steering means, and meansoperatively connecting said arm and said steering means and responsive'to said steering means for establishing a resilient engagement between said element and said car wheel, said connecting means permitting the independent operation ofthe ydriving element when the torque exerted by thecar wheel exceeds a desired value. A Y Y 6. A car body having a traction wheel, a drivingmotor, aV movable member mounted with its axis in alignment with said Vdriving motor, driving means for said wheel carried by said member eccentrically of the axis of said member and connected to said driving motor, steering means, and means operatively connecting said movable member toy said steering means and responsive to a movement of said steering means for Acausing the actuation of said member, said connecting means including a resilient lost-motion device, permitting a pre-determined relative movement between said driving means and said steering means. Y

. 7. A car body, a pair of movable members, driving elements respectively carried by said members but disposed eccentrically of the axis thereof, steering means including a swinging post section, pedall mechanism connected to said swinging post section to facilitate said swinging movement, and mechanism operatively connecting said swinging post section to said movable members for causing the actuation of said driving elements, said mechanism including a resilient lost-motion device permitting said elements to have a predetermined relative movement.` o

8. A car body, a car wheel, a driving motor having'a shaft, ajrotary member mounted in axial alignment with said motor shaft, a shaft carried by said rotary member eccentricaily of said motor shaft,a driving element onesaid eccentric shaft in co-operative relationjvithand adjacent tosaid carvvheel, and means operable in a plane substantially at right angles to both of said shafts whereby said eccentric shaft may be connected'to said motor sljiaft'v for alll positions of the former.

9. AV ear havinga pair of tractionwheels, a pair of driving members adapted to co-operate With'y said Wheels respectively, a pair of movable members respectively supporting said driving members, steering means, means operatively connecting'said steering means to said movable members for effecting in response toene predetermined movement of the steer-ingmeans a 'simultaneous vapplication of, said driving members to the wheels With which' said driving members respectively cov-operate, andmeans responsive'to another predetermined movement of the steering means for effecting Iindependent movements of said driving members relative to the Wheels; with Which said' dri-ving members respectively co-operate.

l0. In combination, a driving Wheel',` a driving element therefor movable yinto edective and ineffective positions Withrespect to said 'drivingwheeh a movable support for said driving element, a driving motor operatively. connectedto said driving element, steering means having 1a plurality of 'movements, means connecting said movable vsupport and saidsteeringmeans, said kconnecting means being responsive to one of said movements of said 'steering means for causing the actuation of said drivingelement from its ineffective position to its effective position, means operatively .cQnneQted t0 Said Steering Vmeans and actuated by said movement thereof'for causing the energization of said Amotor as saidpdrivingelement'moves between said positions, and means operatively associated `with said connecting means and. responsive to another movement of said steering means for oppositeiy actuating` said driving element. 1

11. In combination, a driving Wheel, a driving element therefor movable into effective and ineffective .positions yWithrespect to saidfdriving. Wheel,l a movable support for said driving element,v a driving motor operativelyconnectedi to said driving element, steering means havingra plurality of -movements, means connecting said movable support and said'steeringmeans, said connecting meansI beingresponsive to one4 of said movev inentsof4 said steering means for causing the actuationrof said driving element fromits inefvt'ective positionV to its effective position, means operatively connected to said steering means andv actuated by said movement thereof causing the energization of said-motor as said driving elementy moves betvveen- "saidf-posi-f oppositely actuating said driving element,

saidy motor energizing means beingsubstantially unaffected bythe operation ofthel means effecting said opposite driving element. f

12. in combination, a pair of driving Wheels, a pairof driving elements for said Wheels respectively, adriving motor operativelyconnected to said driving elements, movable supports for said drivingv elements, steering means having a plurality of movements, means connecting said steering -means and said movable supports and responsive to one of the movements of said steering lmeans for causing bodily movement of said elements in one direction, means operatively 'connected to said steering means and responsive to said movement thereof for causing thev energi'zation of the said motor, and'means associated with said connecting means and respons-ive to another movement ofsaid steering means for oppositely moving said driving elements.

lfn combination, a pair of driving Wheels, a pair of drivingvelements therefor movable into` effective and 'ineffective positions, movable supports for said driving elements, a motor operatively connected to said driving elements, steering means having -a plurality of movements, means connecting said steering means to said movable supports and responsive to one of the1 movements ofthe steering means for causing actuation of said driving elements into their effective Y positions, means operatively fconnected tofsaid steering means for causing-- the energization of said motor upon said movement of the driving elements-,and means associated with said connecting means and responsive to the other movement ofi-the steering means for actuating one of said drivingelements into an ineffective position.

14. In combination, a pair of driving wheels a pair of drivingelements therefor movable into eective and ineffective positions,I movable supports for said drivingele' ments, a motor operatively connected tosaid driving elements, steering meansv having .a plurality of movements, mea-ns connecting saidsteering means-to said movable supports an d responsive to one of the movements of the actuation of the `steering means for causing actuation of said dri-ving 'elements Vinto their effective posi.- tions, meansc-peratively connected to said steering means for causing theenergizat-ion of said motor upon said movement ofthe driving element-s, and means associated With said 1 connecting means and responsive to the other movement of the steering means for actuating oneofisa-id driving elements into-an ineffective position, the said motor energizing means .beingeslibstantialy.-unaffected 'by the means for moving the driving e ineectivc position.

15. In combination, a iair wheels, a pair of driving elemen' wheels movable into eective am1 positions, movable supports for said driving elements, a driving motoroperatively connectedto said driving elements, steering means havino differential movements, toot operated mechanism operatively connected to said steering means for one oi r'eid move-V ments thereof, means connecting s i steering means to said movable supports and re-V sponsive to the said movement ot the steering means for causingoperationfof the driving elements trom an ineffective position to an effective position. means operatively connected to the steering means causing the energization of the motor prior to amovement of the driving elements vinto their edective position, and means associated with the said connecting means and responsive to another movement of the storing means 1for varying the driving eliect oit the driving elements.

16. In combination, a pair ot driving wheels, a pair of driving elements for said Wheels movable into effective and iii-etiectivo positions, movable supports tor said driving elements, a drivingmotor operatively connected to said driving elements, steering means having diiierential movements, toot operated mechanism operatively coiiiieete d to said steering means for eilecting one ot said movements thereof, means connecting said steering means to said movable supports and responsive to the said movement ot the steering means for causing operation of the driving elements from an ineffective position to an eifective position, means operatively connected to the steering means tor causing the energization ot the motor prior to a movement of the driving elements into their ef- :tective position, means associated with the said connectingmeans and responsive to another movement ot the steering ireans tor varying the driving etect of the driving elements, and means forming part of said connecting means for providing for a predetermined movement ot' each of said driving elements relative to said steering means. i

17. A car having a traction wheel, a driving element therefor movable between an effective and an ineffective position relative to said wheel, a. movable support for said driving element, steering means, means operatively connecting said movable support and said steering means and responsive to a movement of said steering means tor causing a movement of said support to bring said driving element into its edective position relative to said traction Wheel, said connecting means comprising a bar operatively connected to said steering means and movable longitudinally thereby when said movement of the steering means is effected, and a resilient lost-motion device operatively connecting said bar and said movable support and permitting a predetermined f relative movement between said steering means and said movable f support for said driving means.

18.` A car having a traction wheel,ia driv' ing element therefor movable between' aneectiveand anv ineffective position rela.- tive to said Wheel, av movable support -for said driving element, steering means Inovable to a plurality of positions, means oper' atively connecting said movable support and said steering means and responsive to a movement of said steering means for causing a movement of said support Ato bring said driving element into its effective position relative to said traction wheel, said connecting means comprising a bar operatively connected to said steering means and movable longitudinally thereby whenl saidinovement vof lthe steering means is eliected, a rocker pivotally mounted on said bar, a resilient lost-motion device operatively connecting said rocker and said movable support, and a second bar pivotally connected at one end to said steering means, at its opposite end to said car, and intermediate its ends to said rocker for varying the extent of engagement between the driving element and theV traction wheel upon another move-v ment of the steering means.

19. A car having a pair of traction Wheels, a driving element for each traction wheel, a movable support for each driving element vpermitting the movements Aof said driving elements between effective and ineffective positions relative to said traction wheels,l

pivotal connection with said car adjacent the opposite endof said second bar, and a pivotal connection with sald rocker lintermediate the oppositeends of said second bar, said second bar ,being responsive to another' movement `of said steering means Ato etiect dilierential'engagement of the driving elements relative to the traction wheels.

20. A car having a pair of traction wheels, a driving element for each traction wheel, a

lmovable support for each driving element permitting said driving elements to be moved between eilective and inelective positions relative to said traction wheels, steering means having a' pivotal movement and 'a swinging movement, a bar slidably mountpivoted intermediate its endstosaid slide Y bar, resilient lost-motion devices operatively connecting the opposite ends of said rocker arm with the said movable supports respec tively, a second bar pivotally connected to said steering means at one'end and having a pivotal slidable connection with said car at the opposite end of the said vsecond bar, said second bar being pivotally connected intermediate its ends to said rocker arm, said second bar being responsive to a piv-'V otal movementvof said steeringmeans to rock said rocker arm about its pivot for effecting dierential engagement'v of the driving elements relative to the traction wheels.

2l. A car having a pair of traction wheels, a driving element for each traction wheel, ya movablesupport for each driving element permitting said driving elementsto be moved between effective and ineffective positions relative to said traction wheels,hand operated steering means having a pivotal movement and a swinging movement, pedal mechanism operatively connected to the steering mechanism for facilitating theA swinging movement thereof, a barslidably mounted on said car, means for connecting said barato said` steering means so as to move said bar longitudinally by a swinging movement. of said steering means, a rocker arm pivoted intermediate its ends to said slide bar, resilient lost-motion devices operatively connecting the opposite lends' of said rocker armV with the said movable supports respectively, a second bar pivotally connected to said steering means at one end and having a pivotal slidableconnection with saidcar atthe opposite end of the said second bar, saidvsecond bar being .pivotally connected interme diate its ends to said rocker arm, `said second bar be,- ing responsive to a pivotal movement of said steering means to rock said rocker armabout Vits pivot for effecting differential .engagement of the driving elements relative tothe traction wheels. Y K

22. A car having a pair of traction wheels,

a driving element for each traction wheel, `a

Vmovable support for each driving ele-ment permitting said driving elements to be-.moved between effective= and ineffective positions relative to said traction wheels,a` drivingmo.- tor operatively connected to said drivingelements, steering means having a pivotal mo-.vement and a swinging movement, a barvslidably mounted on said. car, means .for connecting said bar to said steering meansso as to move said bar longitudinally bya swing ingmovenient oi' said steering means, a rocker arm pivoted intermediate its ends,Y to said -slide bar, resilient'lost-motion-dev-ices operatively connecting the opposite ends of said.

rocker arm with the said movablesupports respectively, means operatively connected to said bar and operableby ythe longitudinaly movement thereof for causing vlthe energiza tion of saidmotor when: thesvvinging,move-y ment of the steering means is effected, aseo. ondr bar pivotally connectedto said rsteering means at one end and having a pivotal slid# able connection with said car at theoppo` 

